Our people.

Co-founder

Amir Bergen

Co-founder · Director of Operations & Partnerships

Amir is an entrepreneur and a graduate of St. John's College. Born in Russia, he began his education at an Orthodox Classical Gymnasium, which sparked his lifelong interest in tradition and dialogue. His background spans Eastern Europe, with roots and family ties across several countries in the region. Before coming to St. John's, Amir studied at UWC Dilijan in Armenia, where he found a global approach to learning grounded in reflection and shared inquiry. Outside of academia, he founded and built one of Russia's largest vintage clothing stores, growing it into a community around creativity and sustainable fashion. Through his time at St. John's, he came to believe that education should cultivate independence of thought, not just transmit knowledge.

Co-founder

Kanstantsin Tsiarokhin

Co-founder · Educational Director & Lead Instructor

Kanstantsin grew up between Minsk, Belarus and Kyiv, Ukraine, absorbing the post-Soviet region's cultural complexity and political tension firsthand. His path in education started early, when he founded conversational English courses in Minsk that brought together students from different backgrounds. That work shaped his belief that people learn best through dialogue. After moving to Berlin in 2022, he learned German and immersed himself in European intellectual traditions before finishing his undergraduate degree at St. John's College. Kanstantsin is now pursuing a master's degree in Classical Education, continuing to explore philosophy and pedagogy through the Svet Peace Project, drawing on his cross-cultural background and his belief in dialogue as a way to bring people together.

Teachers.

One of them sits with every seminar group and leads the conversation without lecturing.

Kanstantsin Tsiarokhin

Kanstantsin lived in Belarus and Ukraine before learning German, Ancient Greek and Latin abroad. He studied Classics at St. John’s, interned at Chapman University, and is now pursuing a master’s in Classical Education.

Studied: St. John's College in Santa Fe, a Great Books program recognized as a triple major in philosophy, literature and the natural sciences

Jack Schaaf

Jack, from Atlanta, began teaching as a camp counselor, was a Writing Fellow at The Westminster Schools and an academic assistant at St. John’s College, and now edits The Better Argument magazine.

Studied: St. John's College in Santa Fe, a Great Books program recognized as a triple major in philosophy, literature and the natural sciences

Marcus Kinney

Raised in Saudi Arabia, Marcus studied French in Southern France and graduated from St. John’s College. He taught English in Romania and France, worked on a Montana ranch, and is now applying to law schools.

Studied: St. John's College in Santa Fe, a Great Books program recognized as a triple major in philosophy, literature and the natural sciences

Want to teach with us? Write to us

Board of directors.

We are registered in the State of New Mexico as Svet Peace Education Initiative Inc, a nonprofit organization. In addition to Kanstantsin Tsiarokhin, the President, we are proud to have an inspiring team:

Charles Bergman

Board member

Charles is an educator and former international consultant with decades of leadership experience in both business and schools. He began his career with IBM, helping establish IBM China, before turning to education as a program director and head of school in California and Oregon. At St. John's College in Santa Fe, he revitalized the Office of Personal and Professional Development, expanding opportunities for student growth. He holds a B.A. from Amherst College, an M.S. in mathematics from University of California, Berkeley, and an M.A. in East Asian Studies from Stanford University.

Victor Kazanjian

Board member

Victor is a global peacebuilder, leadership coach, and educator dedicated to transforming conflict through dialogue and compassion. He formerly served as Executive Director of the United Religions Initiative, guiding interfaith peacebuilding efforts across more than 100 countries. His earlier work as Dean of Intercultural Education at Wellesley College and Fellow in Peacebuilding at UWC-USA reflects his lifelong commitment to spiritual and social transformation.

Kathleen Longwaters

Board member

Kathleen is a Tutor (professor) at St. John's College and a scholar of literature, philosophy, and South Asian cultures. Before her academic career, she worked in genetics research and helped establish a cytogenetics laboratory in Germany. A Fulbright-Nehru recipient and multi-fellowship awardee, she has conducted research in India and Norway, where she also gave talks on ancient South Asian medicine and poetry readings in English and Urdu. Her work bridges Western and South Asian traditions, fostering cross-cultural understanding through classical texts and reflective dialogue.

Michele Baker

Board member

Michelle Baker’s interdisciplinary work spans the arts, counseling, professional development, and relationship-building. She holds a BA from St. John’s College and a master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Lenoir-Rhyne University. In addition to serving on the board of Svet Peace Project, Michelle is Associate Director of the Office of Personal and Professional Development at St. John’s College and serves on the Board of the St. John’s College Alumni Association. Her work centers on human connection, meaningful dialogue, and what becomes possible when people engage different perspectives and discover common ground.